![]() New Oats Peak Trail reunites with Old Oats Peak Trail, 1.78 miles from the start via the new trail. Valencia Peak towers over New Oats Peak Trail This roundabout section of New Oats Peak Trail presents expanding views up and down Islay Creek Canyon, while the pyramid shaped summit of Valencia Peak looms large to the south. New Oats Peak Trail ascends 225 feet as it weaves gradually up the side of the canyon. There is a greater difference in lengths between the next sections of the new and old trail (1.2 miles versus 0.43 miles). If Old Oats Peak Trail was open, hikers could swap out the first two sections of New Oats Peak Trail for the overlapping section of Old Oats Peak Trail, which was not particularly challenging. This junction is approximately 0.6 miles from the start via the new trail. Cross Old Oats Peak Trail on the new trail and ease up an extra gradual switchback that flips back to the next crossing between the two trails after 0.05 miles. If you look to your left, you can practically see another junction between the two trails. In another almost flat 0.2 miles, the new trail reaches an intersection and goes straight across Old Oats Peak Trail. Looking up New Oats Peak Trail and Islay Creek CanyonĮnjoy views up Islay Creek Canyon and across the depression just below, which is explored by Reservoir Flats Trail. Most junctions along the way to the summit are well marked. In another two hundred feet, turn right to continue up New Oats Peak Trail. In another hundred feet, come to the first split (or former split) between New Oats Peak Trail and Old Oats Peak Trail. ![]() Look back down the trail to see Spooner’s Cove, a bluff-framed beach at the bottom of Islay Creek Canyon, backed by the blue water of the Pacific Ocean.Īt 0.3 miles from the start, meet a marked junction with Reservoir Flats Trail, a two-mile loop in Islay Creek Canyon that breaks off to the left. On the opening leg of the hike, ascend the south side of Islay Creek Canyon, gaining an overview of the 50-site campground. Spot signs for Reservoir Flats Trail and Oats Peak Trail at the trailhead and begin up the dirt trail. To begin the hike to Oats Peak, start from a trailhead behind the park visitor center in Spooner’s Ranch House on the road into Islay Creek Campground. Many parts of the trail feel excessively gradual and hikers might have favored the more direct Old Oats Peak Trail (which was also perfect for the descent). The new trail is very gradual, built with ascending mountain bikers in mind. New Oats Peak Trail offers an easy as it slowly winds up the side of the canyon and presents lots of views. If any sections of the old trail are open, they could be used to trim the 10.8-mile round trip distance. Oats Peak Trail crisscrosses sections of Old Oats Peak Trail along the way. The new trail was built with mountain bikers in mind and is very popular with riders. Going up and back on the current (new) Oats Peak Trail makes for a 10.8-mile hike with 1,325 feet of elevation change and lots of panoramic views. ![]() When the old trail was still open, hikers could combine the two routes for an 8.25-mile hike. New Oats Peak Trail takes a much more gradual approach with lots of switchbacks and measures 5.4 miles each way. Old Oats Peak Trail (which is now mostly closed) offered a 2.85-mile route to the summit. The trails venture east from the coast along the south side of Islay Creek Canyon beneath Valencia Peak, climbing to a remote and beautiful part of Montaña de Oro State Park. A pair of interwoven trails rise to the 1,373-foot summit of Oats Peak. ![]()
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